Philippines, 09 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


INSIDE SPORTS: A FIGHTING HEART AND A FERVENT FAITH


PhilBoxing.com




There were two things that manifested themselves in the sensational 11th round knockout victory of mandatory challenger Marlon ?The Nightmare? Tapales against two-time world bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand last Wednesday in the historic city of Ayutthaya some 85 kilometers north of the Thai capital of Bangkok. The first was a courageous Filipino heart that he said he acquired from his mother who was a lady who knew no fear, and the second was a fervent faith in God who mother and son called upon when all seemed lost as the Thai world champion sent Tapales crashing to the canvas not once but twice in the fifth round.

Tapales himself admitted that the first punch which was a vicious right straight to the midsection really hurt but that he used the second knockdown to recuperate. Marlon?s handlers led by trainer Fernando Ocon who lost his voice screaming out instructions and veteran Brix Flores, and well-known promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud figured it was the end of a lifelong dream. But they hadn?t reckoned with the fighting heart of the Filipino.

As Marlon told us on his arrival ?the Filipino is different. We have a fighting spirit and the heart of a champion.?

He said this was my dream and he was not going to give the belt away after Pungluang, who had beaten 20 Filipinos before him, he was determined to break the trend and the most satisfying moment was to beat a Thai fighter in his hometown.

During his training, Marlon had concentrated on winning by a knockout and not risking a hometown decision which Thailand is noted for.

Tapales paid tribute to his mother who accompanied him on what turned out to be an epic journey and said she was his inspiration and that he inherited his courage from her.

Marlon's mother said she was happy that her son would break the trend of Pungluang?s victories over Filipino challengers including southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who was knocked out in the 9th round in a battle for the vacant WBO title at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tapales figured in an eight round bout on the undercard and had an opportunity to size up the Thai champion and said he was confident he could beat him.

The two knockdowns in the 5th round somehow happened to be the turning point in the fight. Marlon?s mother couldn?t stand to see her son grimacing in pain after the first knockdown. She told us she felt sorry for her 24 year old son and wanted to stop the fight and told his trainers ?give him the towel, stop it.? But Marlon thought for a moment and told her, "I can take him!?

His mother who had climbed on the ring apron enjoined Marlon ?just pray, make the sign of the cross and fight.?

There was a religious fervor in his mother?s voice which touched him and gave him a surge of confidence that led to his dropping Pungluang in the sixth round which was the turning point in the bout which official supervisor Leon Panoncillo said was one of the best fights he had seen in Thailand and a candidate for the ?Fight of the Year.? Brix Flores had stressed that he believed Marlon was the best Filipino boxer today and he was quick, moved well and had great defense and awesome power.

The result vindicated Brix?s assessment of Tapales who trained daily for over two hours and for more than two months since the title fight had been postponed for a month.

Rather than hurt Tapales? preparation it helped him and neither the long hours travelling to and fro for the press conference, the weighin and the fight itself hardly made a dent on his condition and if anything strengthened his resolve to come home with the bantamweight belt.

Marlon Tapales may not have been as well-known as some of the highly-publicized ALA fighters but his incredible fighting heart, his competitive spirit and his abiding faith in God helped inscribe his name in the recent annals of Philippine boxing and in the hearts and minds of millions of his countrymen.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • Yoseline Perez Concludes World Boxing Cup Astana 2025 with Silver Medal
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • GM Gonzales finishes second in Penang Makruk chess meet, pockets silver medal
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 10 - ALI WINS OVER PATTERSON, EVADES VIETNAM WAR DRAFT
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Jack Catterall Defeats Harlem Eubank Via Technical Decision After Fight Stopped Early Due to Cuts
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Good Fortune for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Rimar Metuda Bows to Kuntae Lee in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • BA President Umar Kremlev makes heavyweight icon Tyson Fury an offer for ‘beautiful farewell fight’ for IBA heavyweight title
    , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Yoseline Perez Advances to Gold Medal Bout at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Catterall vs Eubank: Jack’s Experience Gap Too Wide?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane Advances to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
    By Ace Freeman, , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.